14/01/2025
The following cover many technology security issues as well as recommendations about home and personal safety that may or may not be related to technology. These tips should be of benefit to Brisbane Seniors Online members as well as followers of the BSOL page.
Facebook and social media risks and recommendations:
Users of Facebook and other social media must be mindful of posting too much information about proposed movements and current movements if travelling. This leaves homes vulnerable to home intrusion as you have advertised that you are away. Once you have returned, it is then safer to detail your trip or holiday. Never put too much personal information on Facebook and to minimise the risk of identity theft, do not include the year of birth or use an incorrect year of birth. Facebook will still send birthday notifications on the day and month of your birthday.
Payment redirection scams:
One of the most common fraud activities is payment redirection. Scammers intercept emails and send a fake invoice for work undertaken but put bank details for payment of the scammer. The homeowner insists that the account has been paid when a company contact them and it is revealed that fraud has been committed. Always check that the bank details are correct for payment before paying an invoice and contact the company owed to confirm that the bank details are correct if you are suspicious. Ideally, if possible, homeowners should lock their letter box to avoid the theft of mail that may be used in identity theft and make sure letterbox is cleared regularly.
Strong passwords, multifactor authentication and password managers:
Always create strong passwords, use multifactor authentication and if confident, set up a password manager so that only a master password needs to be remembered.
Risks of clicking on links in emails:
When receiving emails, be very wary not to click on links in emails that may be fraudulent or scams. It is safer to access the company, bank or business by going to their official website and using the published contact phone number and email for them.
Direct debit with bills and non-paper bills:
Minimise identity theft and ensure utility bills like rates, electricity, phone etc are paid on time by establishing a direct debit system and request that bills are sent by email not by mail. This means that if the homeowner is away overseas or travelling, bills will be paid on time. Receiving bills by emails reduces the risk of identity theft and advertising that homeowner is away if there is uncollected mail sticking out the letterbox. Remember that direct debits will continue until stopped and this can have implications should a homeowner pass away. For this reason, homeowners particularly when older should inform a trusted friend or relative of these arrangements. This may also extend to details of assets held, location of banking and password information in the event of death or health issues.
Caution with divulging movements when travelling:
When travelling and getting a taxi or Uber to the airport, cruise terminal or railway departure point, never tell the driver too much about your trip and it is recommended that you claim that there will be someone still at home when you are away. This will minimise the risk of a break-in as an inside job.
Mum and Dad scam calls:
The scam that is referred to as the Mum/Dad call for help is quite common. This involves a scammer using technology to fool parents or people that a child or someone is in trouble often overseas and needs money.
Avoiding landline numbers on house keys and baggage tags
Always add a tag to house keys and use your mobile number rather than a landline on the tag. This minimises the risk if keys are lost of someone using Reverse Australia lookup to gain access to your home by searching for the homeowners landline number to get their home address. https://www.reverseaustralia.com/ In addition, it is recommended that baggage display a mobile number rather than a landline on an outside baggage nametag as this can also be used to locate the passengers home address knowing that a home may be vacant with the homeowner going away.
Security of wheelie bins and climbing objects:
To minimise the risk of a home invasion or break-in, always lock up wheelie bins to prevent them from being used for access. This also applies to ladders, scaffold and any items left out that can be used like a ladder.
Personal number plate risks:
When selecting personal number plates, ensure that things like date of birth or anything that could be used along with additional information already known that can then be used in identity theft. A scammer or fraudster may already have some important information obtained through other methods and be seeking something extra like a date of birth or a name that can be deduced from a source like a personalised number plate.
Electric chair lifts:
Finally, important advice for homeowners that use an exterior electric stair lift on the stairs to their home. If the stair lift is seen at the top of the stairs, it could indicate to potential thieves that someone is home. If it is at the bottom of the stairs, they could be out so the home is vulnerable to a break-in.
In summing up, help is available. Brisbane Seniors Online learners can discuss these risks with their allocated home mentor and avoid some of the risks detailed above.
Free Australia reverse phone lookup service. Find any listed or unlisted mobile phone or land line in Australia. Simple reverse lookup, great for identifying missed calls.
